Does anyone else find that some websites or spaces make it hard for you to feel still, calm, and focused?
Intellectually, you may appreciate a space. But even if you can't verbalize it, I bet you've experienced those spaces or websites that affect your ability to focus or think clearly.
Design Tips For ADHD
Here's the conundrum: Neat, clean, and spacey is great for us. BUT it can also be TOO clean and neat for our dopamine-starved brains.
Choosing colors, fonts, and layouts when designing for print or digital is a combination of art and science.
As for an interior of a space: texture, colors, and the size of each piece is also part art and part science.
Finding that balance can be really hard. For example: I love little surprises of delight within an orderly and structured space or minimalist website. Otherwise .... Yawn!!!
In contrast, if it's too busy, I feel frazzled and even more scattered.
Essentially, for us, how information is presented is as crucial as the information itself.
That's why I experimented with at least a hundred different color schemes, fonts, and layouts when designing the MindFlows ADHD Planning Collection.
What Should You Take Away From This
If you find that you're struggling with certain tools that you use, pay attention to the colors, the layout, and fonts.
- How easy is it to read?
- Is it lacking something special?
- Is it overwhelming?
Maybe that tool just isn't a fit because they don't organize the information in a way that your brain can handle.
This can even be an issue in your workplace, even if you love it. So if you are having difficulty feeling good, look around and ask yourself:
- Does it seem too busy? Or is it too minimal?
- Could it be adapted to support my ADHD challenges without losing the style that inspires me and calms me?
Neurotypical Advice That Isn't Helpful
You've probably heard that it's dumb to waste time organizing your space when you could be working on "real" business. You've also probably heard that you don't need to worry about "pretty" design for your website.
I get that. The idea that the offer, products, and content is incredibly important, isn't entirely wrong.
For those of us who have ADHD however, the ability to take in information and feel good in our surroundings is extremely important.
And for those of you who serve ADHD entrepreneurs (which is likely if you work with business owners) then design is absolutely essential.
